Choice of adding Syntakt to my configuration

Elektron Gear Syntakt
1

Good morning,

I would like to have your opinion on a machine to add to my current equipment.

I have a Virus Ti2, Nord Lead A1, Akai Force.

I reduced my equipment quite a bit to go more to the essentials and not get lost in a workflow that could distract me.

I compose Trance, Trance Uplifting and Melodic Techno.

I had thought of the Syntakt, because it brings together the best of both worlds (analog and digital).

Very interesting part, 4 analog tracks of the Analog Rythm MK2 and digital machines with the two additions of additional machines this opens up the sound exploitation a little more.

There is also the Analog Four MK2, but to get the best out of it it takes a lot of time and that scares me a little.

What do you think ?

Any ideas for synthesizers or modules?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

2

I think with Virus and Nord you have all the synths you need for trance (or almost anything really). Are you looking for something specific to add soundwise? Syntakt seems like a cool device, but as always with Elektron, much of it’s power is in the sequencer. If that’s what you want, go for it, but for just adding some “real” analog flavour I would rather look into one of the dedicated analog monos. Something tweakable with character.

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Thank you for your reply.

Concerning the Syntakt, it seems to be a relatively accessible machine in this range, plus an Elektron sequencer.

I have an Analog Rythm MK2, an exceptional machine, but resold.

Too much handling, I prefer a machine that is more straightforward to use.

Like mono, I was thinking of three models.

Moog Subsequent 37, Pro 3 and the Matrixbrute.

Just fears of reliability and problems with untimely calibration given that it is analog.

What do you think ?

4

Syntakt certainly is more accessible than larger Elektrons. I don’t think modern gear really suffers from calibration issues much. Sure some Behringer clones do, but that’s probably more because they’re made to sound as similar as possible to those old originals, which did too. But of course, if you want 100% perfect pitch forever, stay digital.

Anyway, those mentioned certainly do fall into “tweakable with character” category, it’s just a matter of what kind of character you prefer. Personally I like aggressive so I use Monologue (stays in tune) and Neutron (doesn’t really, but I use it mostly for “modular” effect sounds so it’s no problem, I even like it :slight_smile:

5

Syntakt is the nuts. It’ll go very well with what you have, and is great as a standalone device.

It’s got it’s own sound, and the fx block is great, and then when you start to actually use fx box with in the ‘Elektron way’ it becomes both great, and powerful.

Grab it. You can flip it for the same price if it’s no good to you.

Analog 4 is immense, and is probably one of the best drum machines, and filter boxes you’re going to find. It’s also four mono synths in one box. It can take some work, but there’s loads of sweet spots along the way, and there’s a plethora of sound packs around that if your synthesis skills are lacking, someone would have done the hard work for you.

If I was picking one, it would be the syntakt.

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+1 for syntakt

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The Syntakt is my favorite Elektron.

Followed by Digitone.

Then Analog Rytm and SID Station.

Love all the others too, but the Syntakt is an amazing combo of quick to work with, depth of possibilities, physical size, and variety in one box. Sounds incredibly good, and is the perfect box to write complete tracks on when not in the studio. (unless samples are required)

I really can’t say one bad thing about it.

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Don’t get the Four, then. The Four is brilliant, but much more “involved” even than the Rytm.

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Many thanks for your responses and opinions.

The Analog Four MK2 is really a machine that interests me the most, the big downside for me, too deep a dive into the menus to be able to extract excellence from it.

I will definitely get one one day, but for now, I need more immediate machines.

I doubt that Elektron will one day make a model of the Analog Four MK2 and Analog Rythm MK2 (with more analog channels, four a little tight anyway).

A module incorporating both models would be simply great.

But with more controls on the machine, less diving into the menus, it would be a significant luxury.

It destroys improvisation and spontaneity, it’s a real shame.

I suspect that Elektron will never do that, but it’s a shame, it would be the best Elektron in one.

It could be the ultimate machine.

Coming back to the Syntakt, it could even if menu manipulations, it seems much more immediate and much more intuitive than the high-end models.

I would like to ask you a question about Syntakt.

Here is the example.

Would it be possible to plug an external master keyboard into the midi in of the Syntakt and plug the midi out of the Syntakt into the in of a Waldorf Blofeld for example, in order to be able to use the eight knobs of the Syntakt for example (change programs , banks changes, cutoff filter, resonance, ev amount, decay, etc…)?

Thank you again for your responses and opinions.

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Yes, you would need to set the midi channels so the Syntakt sends on the same channel that the Blofeld receives, then you’d configure the knobs with the correct cc value for the parameter you want to control on the Blofeld. Bit of a faff, but you can cut and paste that setup into other tracks or patterns as needed.

As for your original question, perhaps ask yourself what’s missing from the music you are creating now, before shopping for more stuff.

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Thank you very much for your answer.

Perfect.

I suspect that we can ask ourselves the question of knowing what I really want :blush:

I know what I want, but I don’t know what the right choice is.

Here I explore several ideas in order to make the best choice adapted to my real needs.